Hi all our Golden Hind Snowdrift is shortly comeing out of Newson boat builders yard after months of extensive repairs, all i need now is pointing in the right direction and learn to sail any advise greatly received. pics available on Newsons web under new projects many thanks regards Dave Mann.

JamesH wrote:1) What is he best way to prevent fresh water ingress?2) Where are the rot weakness areas on eventide, riptide and WW, can they be designed out?3) What are the preferred painting options v cost?

Well just my opinions but I'd say:

1) Stop the rain getting in, so a cover and well sealed decks (epoxy and cloth over the ply when new and then either just paint or lay teak veneer on top.2) Other than the usual fittings and joints I don't think there are any particular weak areas, the problem can be anywhere that freshwater can be trapped.3) If building new I woudl sheath in epoxy and cloth. Not convinced of ther merits of doing this to an old boat where it could cause more problems than it solves.

I would agree with Chris about epoxy and new build and also that you would have to be very careful not to epoxy in trouble on older boats. All has to be scrupulously clean and rot free!

As for designing out problems.. Seems to me that most rot problems are associated with leaking decks, so properly epoxy sealed decks with very well sealed fittings is the answer there. So it is not the design, more the method of construction, however it will not help if there is little thought given to the timbers used in the build. Too many use unsuitable timber or fasteners.

If you are going to all the trouble of building a boat, that you hope to sail, in safety, why make it out of material that will rot away in 5 minutes when for a little more money you can used Iroko or similar and really good ply. Then you have a family heirloom, not a time bomb!